Sky pundit defends Everton hero Jordan Pickford from critics as Jamie Carragher singles him out
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Kevin Campbell has praised “outstanding” Everton keeper Jordan Pickford and thinks critics are all too eager to blame him when things go wrong.
The 28-year-old has produced some magnificent displays recently to preserve vital Toffees wins, but was singled out for blame on Monday Night Football by Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville for his role in Jarrad Branthwaites red card against Brentford.
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Campbell has marvelled at the England number one’s composure in the face of criticism and believes the praise doesn’t come quite so quickly.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News the former Toffees captain said: “It’s funny. When the criticism’s flying about and it’s directed at him he takes it doesn’t he? He doesn’t say nothing and he does the business, does well, and he’s humble.
“People sometimes aren’t as quick to praise him as they are to criticise him.
“And he’s still such a young goalkeeper. He is nowhere near his prime yet, nowhere near.
“And Everton really needed him in the last couple games. They key is when your goalkeeper turns up, that’s important.
“When you’re down there and you’re scrapping sometimes you need your goalkeeper to pull you out of the fire, and I think he’s pulled Everton out of the fire in the last couple of games.
“Everton have done well at the top end of the pitch but defensively…
“When the defence has been breeched he’s been there. He really has been there when it’s mattered. He’s been outstanding.”
Pickford has indeed been outstanding in wins against both Chelsea and Leicester, so his role in the first of two red cards at Goodison on Sunday (15 May) can perhaps be overlooked.
He retreated towards his area rather than stay pushed up to deal with the long ball, but how much that was his own failing or what he is coached to do is up for debate.
His detractors will have enjoyed the Monday Night Football pundits focusing on a mistake but on balance is still well in credit after a series of wonderful saves lately.
In other Everton news, Gary Neville couldn’t believe Jamie Carragher’s stance on the key controversy in the defeat to Brentford.
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